INNISFAIL -- The Innisfail Eagles netted two victories this weekend to wrap up their last home games of the regular season.
The Birds took Game 1 with a 4-1 victory over the Stony Plain Eagles Friday night (Jan. 25) and downed a determined Rosetown Red Wings squad Sunday evening (Jan. 27) with a 3-0 shutout at the Innisfail Arena.
"They got a good team. We played three games there. They were all tough, tight games and we beat them three games here," said Brian Sutter, head coach. "We've been the best team in the league since December 1. We've only lost two games.”
The Lacombe Generals and Rosetown Red Wings are tied with 20 points, in first and second place respectively, while Innisfail sits just behind in third place with 17 points.
"It's not where you start, it's where you finish," said Sutter.
Sunday’s game remained scoreless through two periods before Innisfail defenceman Mackenze Stewart broke the stalemate with a goal early in the third period.
Innisfail veteran Pete Vandermeer scored the Birds' second goal just before the halfway mark of the final frame to give Innisfail a two-goal lead.
Brett O’Malley sealed the victory with an empty-netter in the dying seconds of the game.
"We know they're very skilled and you give them any kind of chance at all, they're going to take advantage," said Vandermeer.
"We want to put a good stamp on this year because we feel this is our best chance to get things done. We're really excited for the playoffs."
Allen York make 38 saves in the shutout on Sunday.
"It felt like a playoff game," said York. "It seemed like one goal was going to win it for us so we tried to stay focused,” said York.
"We've had some losses throughout (the season) but every game we've built on something and I think we've continued to snowball in the right (direction)."
The Birds' final regular season game is on Feb. 2 in Stony Plain.
